Rizzle Kicks star speaks about diversity to Hove workers

Jordan Stephens of the pop duo Rizzle Kicks visited Legal and General's Hove offices this week, to talk about inclusion and respecting others.

Jordan shared stories from his childhood, his music and acting career and his time in Channel 4’s Celebrity Island.

Jordan Stephens from Rizzle Kicks poses for selfies with Legal and General employee Gurganpreet Kang after a talk in their Hove offices

The popstar and former Blatchington Mill pupil said: “It’s about treating everyone with openness and respect and questioning your own beliefs – every question you ask is a window into someone’s perceived view.

“If you are to see something and feel a negative vibe, I see it as an opportunity to review yourself.”

Jordan spoke about his experience and the challenges of being mixed-race and brought up on a London council estate before moving to Brighton aged 11.

Rizzle Kicks’ debut album was released in 2011 before he went on to swap the stage for the screen – most recently starring in the latest Star Wars movie Rogue One.

Jordan Stephens from Rizzle Kicks jokes with Legal and General employees and poses as David Brent from The Office after likening himself to the character played by Ricky Gervais during his talk

Talking about his experience in the film industry, he said: “With my history and appearance you get ushered into stereotypes. But it’s heading in the right direction.

“I want there to become a point where diversity and inclusion is not an issue, but it’s about what one wants to do with their lives.”

Jordan said he ‘almost fell of his chair’ when he realised he’d been offered the part in Star Wars.

The Celebrity Island star also told how he quit the show because he ‘couldn’t validate’ spending any more time there.

Jordan Stephens on stage during his talk at Legal and General in Hove

He said the producers chose a narrative and that this year it was that ‘women rule and men suck’ and it was ‘women vs men’.

He said: “Actually, there was an opportunity to show how harmonious it was. It was an opportunity to show how our strengths and weaknesses came together.”

The 25-year-old later jokingly likened himself to the character David Brent in the comedy The Office after recommending a self-help book to the audience, just like in a scene where the character played by Ricky Gervais does the same in a motivational talk.

After his talk he joked around with employees, posing for selfies and in ‘David Brent’ positions for the camera.

Mature Savings employee Vik Patel who attended the talk and bagged a selfie with the celebrity said: “To come to work and hear someone talk so frankly, it was a breath of fresh air.”

The event was organised by the Mature Savings team as part of the activity planned celebrate Inclusion Month which coincides with National Inclusion Week.

Commercial director Shannon Lee said: “Inclusivity at Legal & General not only means recognising and valuing the differences we each bring to the workplace, but also creating an environment where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.

“We know that without each unique employee, we wouldn’t be able to support and deliver for communities and customers in the way that we do, so it is vital that our people feel valued, respected and supported.”

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